Indiana University Athletics
Exceeding Expectations, Indiana Eying Bigger Prize
10/19/2015 3:05:00 PM | Field Hockey
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - At the beginning of the season, Indiana field hockey's goal was simple: Qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.
That goal has since changed.
Expectations are being risen after the Hoosiers won a second consecutive Big Ten game Sunday, defeating Penn State 1-0 to improve to 4-2 in conference play and clinch a spot in next month's Big Ten Tournament. Already, it's the most conference wins Indiana has had since having four in 2009, 2006 and 2005.
Under first-year head coach Amanda Janney, the Hoosiers will have a pair of chances to set a new program record for conference wins in a single season with remaining games against Maryland and Rutgers.
But for now, the fourth win felt special enough.
"It's been a long time coming," Janney said. "To finally get to four wins and kind of establish that for our program, we're so happy. We talked about kind of the history of the program and how difficult it is to get to four wins in the Big Ten. We're thrilled four the team and seniors to be able to accomplish that goal. Tomorrow and the next week, we'll be able to set our goals a little higher."
It was only fitting Indiana would win its fourth conference game against Penn State, a team IU's senior class had previously never beaten. Prior to Sunday, the Hoosiers had last beaten the Nittany Lions in 2009.
The victory, in that sense, reflects the program's evolution over the last eight months.
The Hoosiers' season has been partly an experiment for Janney, who's moved players around the field mid-season, trusted a true freshman goalie in Noelle Rother in front of the net and hasn't shied away from making sometimes drastic system changes on the fly.
Janney said from the beginning she wouldn't be afraid to push buttons. When she has, she's managed to connect more often than not.
"Simply put, she's an unbelievable coach," senior forward Nicole Volgraf said. "She trusts us so much as players, but has brought so much hockey knowledge to the game that maybe we didn't have before. We're really a dynamic team and that's a big difference."
Janney said it was all the more appropriate that Sunday was also alumni day. Even in her first season, Janney often talks about the importance of respecting the Indiana tradition and culture. She wants even the players who have long since graduated to play a part in building the Indiana program.
Now they're seeing the results.
"They've been through a lot for them to be here," Janney said.
The team will take a few moments to reevaluate its goals at practice this week. Janney and her players made it clear just because they reached four wins doesn't mean they're finished. They're just ahead of schedule.
Indiana has two chances to win five conference games for the first time in program history. They'll fight for Big Ten Tournament seeding over the coming weeks and now the players are even bringing up the possibility of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
Confidence is high, and the Hoosiers are streaking at the right time. They're holding one another more accountable on and off the field, senior defender Sydney Supica said. Whether that means making sure teammates are eating right, sleeping enough or practicing with enough energy, the players are pushing one another.
"I think now we have the confidence that we can play well against really good opponents," Rother said. "We trust ourselves."
After beating Penn State, Indiana huddled and took a moment to appreciate their fourth win. The Hoosiers talked about how important it was and briefly celebrated their accomplishment.
Then they moved on.
The next few weeks will dictate just how successful Indiana's 2015 team will ultimately go down as being. They've gotten this far already, Volgraf said, so why slow down now?
"Obviously, we have two Big Ten games left before the tournament, and we need to win them," Volgraf said. "We've already set ourselves in a good place, but we can't settle there."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - At the beginning of the season, Indiana field hockey's goal was simple: Qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.
That goal has since changed.
Expectations are being risen after the Hoosiers won a second consecutive Big Ten game Sunday, defeating Penn State 1-0 to improve to 4-2 in conference play and clinch a spot in next month's Big Ten Tournament. Already, it's the most conference wins Indiana has had since having four in 2009, 2006 and 2005.
Under first-year head coach Amanda Janney, the Hoosiers will have a pair of chances to set a new program record for conference wins in a single season with remaining games against Maryland and Rutgers.
But for now, the fourth win felt special enough.
"It's been a long time coming," Janney said. "To finally get to four wins and kind of establish that for our program, we're so happy. We talked about kind of the history of the program and how difficult it is to get to four wins in the Big Ten. We're thrilled four the team and seniors to be able to accomplish that goal. Tomorrow and the next week, we'll be able to set our goals a little higher."
It was only fitting Indiana would win its fourth conference game against Penn State, a team IU's senior class had previously never beaten. Prior to Sunday, the Hoosiers had last beaten the Nittany Lions in 2009.
The victory, in that sense, reflects the program's evolution over the last eight months.
The Hoosiers' season has been partly an experiment for Janney, who's moved players around the field mid-season, trusted a true freshman goalie in Noelle Rother in front of the net and hasn't shied away from making sometimes drastic system changes on the fly.
Janney said from the beginning she wouldn't be afraid to push buttons. When she has, she's managed to connect more often than not.
"Simply put, she's an unbelievable coach," senior forward Nicole Volgraf said. "She trusts us so much as players, but has brought so much hockey knowledge to the game that maybe we didn't have before. We're really a dynamic team and that's a big difference."
Janney said it was all the more appropriate that Sunday was also alumni day. Even in her first season, Janney often talks about the importance of respecting the Indiana tradition and culture. She wants even the players who have long since graduated to play a part in building the Indiana program.
Now they're seeing the results.
"They've been through a lot for them to be here," Janney said.
The team will take a few moments to reevaluate its goals at practice this week. Janney and her players made it clear just because they reached four wins doesn't mean they're finished. They're just ahead of schedule.
Indiana has two chances to win five conference games for the first time in program history. They'll fight for Big Ten Tournament seeding over the coming weeks and now the players are even bringing up the possibility of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
Confidence is high, and the Hoosiers are streaking at the right time. They're holding one another more accountable on and off the field, senior defender Sydney Supica said. Whether that means making sure teammates are eating right, sleeping enough or practicing with enough energy, the players are pushing one another.
"I think now we have the confidence that we can play well against really good opponents," Rother said. "We trust ourselves."
After beating Penn State, Indiana huddled and took a moment to appreciate their fourth win. The Hoosiers talked about how important it was and briefly celebrated their accomplishment.
Then they moved on.
The next few weeks will dictate just how successful Indiana's 2015 team will ultimately go down as being. They've gotten this far already, Volgraf said, so why slow down now?
"Obviously, we have two Big Ten games left before the tournament, and we need to win them," Volgraf said. "We've already set ourselves in a good place, but we can't settle there."
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field HockeyFB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16